The conference room atmosphere today was extremely formal and serious. Senior managers, juniors, and executives were seated around the long table. Mr. Wang (Vice President) was checking his files, while Zain sat in his main chair with complete authority and dominance.
The most special element of the project—the Midnight Blue Gown—was displayed on the large screen. The moment the design appeared, only one word escaped from the lips of everyone in the room—"Beautiful."
Just then, Huan Jing took a deep breath and confidently continued the presentation. It was the result of the hard work that Aanya and Huan Jing had put into it.
Huan Jing said, "This gown is our team's masterpiece. In it, we have woven the depth of the night sky and the sparkle of the stars."
While speaking, Huan Jing looked proudly toward Aanya. Qian, who was Zain's right-hand man, felt extremely happy inside seeing his girlfriend, Jing, presenting the work so brilliantly. Pride for Jing was clearly visible in his eyes.
Ruan Jian was also present in the meeting. However, his gaze was fixed more on Aanya than on the design. He noticed that Aanya kept shifting her eyes from the screen toward Zain again and again.
In Aanya's eyes, there was that loving gaze for Zain, which had grown even deeper after the romantic moments they had shared the previous night. Seeing this stirred jealousy inside Ruan Jian. His jaw clenched, and he kept tapping his pen on the table repeatedly because he could not tolerate the silent chemistry between Zain and Aanya.
Zain, who until now had been pretending to remain busy with his files, suddenly turned his head. His eyes met Aanya's.
The moment their gazes collided, Aanya immediately looked away as if she had been caught stealing something. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks. A very subtle smile appeared at the corner of Zain's lips.
While adjusting his file, Zain very carefully made a small sign toward Aanya. He pointed his finger toward his wristwatch and then toward the door. The meaning was clear: "Meet me outside after the meeting."
Aanya slightly lowered her head, as if she understood, and made a small tick mark on her palm with her pen. This silent conversation between their eyes created a gentle stir even within the tense atmosphere of the conference room.
But Ruan Jian saw the signal. His fingers tightened around the pen so much that his nails turned white. Hatred for Zain was clearly visible in his eyes. Even the ticking of the clock now echoed like the strike of a hammer in his ears.
Mr. Wang adjusted his glasses and threw a question in his heavy voice.
"The design is extraordinary… but who will take command of this project? Who will become the lead of this project?"
All eyes in the room turned toward Zain Yan at once—because in this room he was the only person whose single "yes" or "no" could change not only this project but the fate of many people.
Huan Jing and Aanya clenched their fists.
Just then, Ruan Jian leaned forward in his chair, a sly smile appearing on his face. He looked directly into Zain's eyes.
Ruan Jian said, "Mr. Yan, I want Aanya to lead this project. She understands my vision perfectly."
Whispers immediately began to spread throughout the room. From junior employees to senior staff, everyone started looking at one another. The muscles on Zain's face tightened. He knew very well that Ruan only wanted to stay close to Aanya and that this was nothing but a calculated move.
Zain closed his file. The sound echoed across the room.
"This project's responsibility is not a light one…"
Zain's deep and cold voice filled the entire room.
Zain said, "Rejected. Aanya is still a junior. She does not have the experience to handle such a large project. She will not be able to carry this burden."
Murmurs began to rise around the room. Senior employees exchanged glances.
A senior manager said, "Sir, but the design is hers…"
A junior employee whispered, "Maybe the boss doesn't trust her."
Zain's face remained as hard as stone. His eyes were fixed only on Aanya, who stood there silently. He did not want her to go anywhere near that wolf—Ruan.
In Zain's gaze there was protection, but in front of the world he appeared only as a strict and unyielding boss. He did not even look toward Aanya for a single moment, as if he considered her weak.
Aanya's face turned pale. She angrily pushed her glasses higher on the bridge of her nose. In Zain's eyes she saw that distrust which wounded her pride.
She slammed her hands onto the table and stood up. Her chair slid backward with a sharp sound.
She locked her eyes onto Zain's. There was no fear, no hesitation.
Aanya said in a sharp, firm voice, "Mr. Yan, experience comes from working, not from being afraid."
She slid a file across the table toward Zain. Her hand remained steady on the table.
"I am ready. And I will prove it."
Zain's jaw tightened. The challenge in Aanya's voice changed the temperature of the entire room.
In Ruan Jian's eyes there was the gleam of victory, while in Zain's eyes a deep storm was rising.
Aanya picked up her file and placed it confidently in front of Mr. Wang, without even a trace of hesitation.
This was not just about taking command of a project—
it was the first step of her freedom against Zain's protection.The tension in the conference room had now reached its peak. Zain's face flushed with anger as he slammed his fist hard on the table. The employees around the room trembled.
"Fine. If you're so proud of your abilities, then this project is yours. But remember, Aanya—if you fail… the price you will pay is something you can't even imagine."
He shoved his chair back and walked out of the cabin without looking back.
Qian followed him out.
As soon as the meeting ended, Aanya reached her desk. Her face was red with anger. She was slamming her files and pens on the table as if she were breaking Zain's bones.
Huan Jing: "Aanya! Calm down. Everyone is watching."
Aanya didn't respond. Whenever she got extremely angry, she either gulped down cold water or started eating like a madwoman. She pulled out a packet of biscuits from her drawer and began chewing them as if she were chewing Zain himself.
Aanya (muttering): "Who does he think he is? Arrogant… rude… that damn jerk!"
Huan Jing (whispering in her ear): "Hey girl! Why are you cursing your own husband like that? Someone might hear you!"
Aanya (shouting): "Husband later—first he's my stone-hearted wolf boss!"
Meanwhile, the office corridor had now turned into an arena.
Zain dragged Ruan Jian into a dark corner and grabbed him by the collar. Death itself seemed to be dancing in Zain's eyes.
Zain (growling): "Stay away from Aanya, Ruan. If even your shadow falls on her, I will forget that you are a manager in this company."
Instead of being afraid, Ruan Jian let out a cold laugh and brushed Zain's hand away. He straightened his coat and stepped forward, locking eyes with Zain.
Ruan Jian: "How long will you keep hiding her, Mr. Yan? You gave her 'Project Phoenix' before as well, and it succeeded because of her. That night at the party, you saved her from those thugs and even made her 'Mrs. Yan'… but can you really change the truth?"
Zain's jaw tightened, the blood in his veins boiling.
Ruan Jian's voice dropped to a whisper now, seeping into Zain's ears like poison.
Ruan Jian: "She carries the blood of your family's killer, Zain. Her own uncle murdered your parents. And yet you're sharing a bed with a girl whose veins carry the blood of your enemies. Does she know that you love her… or are you just using her to take your revenge?"
Zain's hand flashed through the air like lightning. He grabbed Ruan Jian by the throat and slammed him against the wall. A storm of hatred and pain raged in Zain's eyes.
Zain's face was so close to Ruan's that his hot breath could be felt against Ruan's skin.
Zain (in a very low and rigid voice): "She is my wife. I don't care what her past is or what her uncle did. But if you ever open your mouth about this in front of Aanya… I won't hesitate for a single moment to cut out your tongue."
Zain shoved him away violently, causing Ruan to stumble.
Without looking back, Zain walked away from there. But his steps no longer carried the same confidence as before.
Ruan's words had reopened the old wounds he had tried so hard to bury.